Senate Concurrent Resolution 533

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICE OF OUTSTANDING WARREN COUNTY SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR SHARP W. BANKS, JR., OF VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, respected Warren County School Administrator Sharp W. Banks, Jr., passed away on December 9, 2011; and

WHEREAS, Sharp Banks served as Superintendent of the Warren County Schools in Vicksburg for 38 years and was known as "the father of the county schools." The honors he received were numerous but probably the one he treasured most was the Golden Lamp Award given by the state's School Superintendents Association to the outstanding administrator. He was the first recipient; and

WHEREAS, Sharp Banks was always visible in the community, serving on the Board of the YMCA and working with the Optimist Club, the Chamber of Commerce, the Historical Society and the Country Club. He taught the Men's Bible Class at Gibson Memorial Methodist Church in Vicksburg for 20 years. Those who didn't know him in person knew his voice from the press box announcing the football games in Warren County for 35 years; and

WHEREAS, he was credited with steering the schools through the challenges of enrollment growth in the 1960s and integration in the 1970s. He retired in 1987. He later assisted the State Department of Education in serving as a Conservator for low-performing schools; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Banks served in the Navy in World War II as a Radarman Third Class, receiving numerous commendations, including the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with four stars; and

WHEREAS, he is survived by his wife, Winnie Rogers Banks; children: Tere Banks of Columbus, Ohio, Paula Glen DeTrafford (Shelden) of Walker, Louisiana, Tina Henson (David) of Mandeville, Louisiana, and George Banks (Pam) of Montesano, Washington; grandchildren: Elisabeth Huffman and Kathryn Luther both of Columbus, Ohio, Rebecca Ramsey of Walker, Louisiana, Amy Ganucheau of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Melissa Banks of Montesano, Washington; and great-grandchildren: Anson, Chase and Alyssa Huffman and Sophie Andres; and

WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of this respected school administrator and public servant:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the life and public service of outstanding Warren County School Superintendent Sharp W. Banks, Jr., and extend the sympathy of the Legislature to his surviving family on his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be transmitted to the surviving family of Mr. Banks, the State Superintendent of Education, the President of the Vicksburg-Warren School Board and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.